Mobile phone with swipe printer

ABSTRACT

A mobile telecommunications device, such as a mobile telephone, includes an internal printer for printing on print media external to the device. A speed sensor measures the speed at which a user moves the device relative to the print media and controls the rate of ink ejection accordingly. The device may print images displayed on a display screen of the device or may print image data received through a wireless telecommunications network.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mobile telecommunications devices, inparticular mobile telephones, and peripheral devices giving currentmobile telephones greater functionality. Specifically, the presentinvention relates to mobile telephones having an internal colourprinter.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the commercially successful models of mobile telephoneshave been the ones which have been the most compact The desire for smallsize has prevented other devices, most notably printers, from beingincorporated into the housings of mobile telephones.

Prior art printers incorporate a supply of print media into the printerand employ a print media feed mechanism to transport the print mediapast the printhead(s) to effect printing onto the print media. It isessential during a printing operation to synchronise the speed of theprint media with the printing rate of the printhead(s) to ensure afaithful reproduction of the image being printed. Heretofore, thesynchronisation of the print media with the printhead(s) has beenrelatively simple to accomplish because the print media feed mechanism,including the supply of print media, forms an integral part of theprinter. The speed of the print media is therefore known and fixed, asis the speed at which the printhead(s) and print controller operate,with synchronisation between these features being accomplished usingsimple mechanical features such as gears, stepper motors and the like.

Such features however, in particular the need to have a supply of printmedia accommodated within the printer, have made these printers largerand heavier than they otherwise need be. Even in more compact printersemploying a monolithic page-width drop-on-demand printhead arrangementof the type described in the above mentioned co-pending applications,where the printhead is fixed, there is still a need to have a supply ofprint media and a print media drive mechanism integral to the printer toensure proper synchronisation between ink ejection and the motion of theprint media Up until now these requirements have limited the minimumpossible printer size and have precluded the possibility of a printerbeing incorporated into a device such as a compact mobile telephone.

CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

Various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the present inventionare disclosed in the following co-pending applications filed by theapplicant or assignee of the present invention simultaneously with thepresent application: AP39 AP43 AP44 AP46 AP47 AP48 AP49 AP50 AP51 AP52AP53 AP55 AP58 AP60 AP61 AP62 AP63 AP64 AP65 AP66 AP67 AP68 AP69 AP70AP71 AP77 AP78 AP79

The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated hereinby cross-reference. Each application is temporarily identified by itsfile reference. This will be replaced by the corresponding PCTApplication Number when available. RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS ANDPATENTS US6,227,652 US6,213,588 US6,213,589 US6,231,163 US6,247,795US6,394,581 US6,244,691 US6,257,704 US6,416,168 US6,220,694 US6,257,705US6,247,794 US6,234,610 US6,247,793 US6,264,306 US6,241,342 US6,247,792US6,264,307 US6,254,220 US6,234,611 US6,302,528 US6,283,582 US6,239,821US6,338,547 US6,247,796 US09/113,122 US6,390,603 US6,362,843 US6,293,653US6,312,107 US6,227,653 US6,234,609 US6,238,040 US6,188,415 US6,227,654US6,209,989 US6,247,791 US6,336,710 US6,217,153 US6,416,167 US6,243,113US6,283,581 US6,247,790 US6,260,953 US6,267,469 US6,273,544 US6,309,048US6,420,196 US6,443,558 US09/422,892 US6,378,989 US09/425,420US09/422,893 US09/609,140 US6,409,323 US6,281,912 US09/575,113US6,318,920 US6,488,422 US09/693,644 US6,457,810 US6,485,135US09/112,763 US6,331,946 US6,246,970 US6,442,525 US09/505,951US09/505,147 US09/505,952 US09/575,108 US09/575,109 US09/575,110US09/607,985 US6,398,332 US6,394,573 US09/606,999 US6,238,044US6,425,661 US6,390,605 US6,322,195 US09/504,221 US6,480,089 US6,460,778US6,305,788 US6,426,014 US6,364,453 US6,457,795 US09/556,219US09/556,218 US6,315,399 US6,338,548 US09/575,190 US6,328,431US6,328,425 US09/575,127 US6,383,833 US6,464,332 US6,390,591US09/575,152 US6,328,417 US6,322,194 US09/575,177 US09/575,175US6,417,757 US09/608,780 US6,428,139 US09/607,498 US09/693,079US09/693,135 US6,428,142 US09/692,813 US09/693,319 US09/693,311US6,439,908 US09/693,735 PCT/AU98/00550 PCT/AU00/ PCT/AU00/00517PCT/AU00/00511 PCT/AU00/00754 00516 PCT/AU00/00756 PCT/AU00/00757PCT/AU00/00095 PCT/AU00/ PCT/AU00/00338 PCT/AU00/00339 PCT/AU00/0034000755 PCT/AU00/00581 PCT/AU00/00580 PCT/AU00/00582 PCT/AU00/PCT/AU00/00588 PCT/AU00/00589 PCT/AU00/00583 00172 PCT/AU00/00590PCT/AU00/00591 PCT/AU00/00592 PCT/AU00/ PCT/AU00/00585 PCT/AU00/00586PCT/AU00/00749 00341 PCT/AU00/00751 PCT/AU00/00752 PCT/AU01/01332PCT/AU00/ PCT/AU00/01513 PCT/AU00/01514 PCT/AU00/01515 00587PCT/AU00/01517 PCT/AU00/01512 PCT/AU01/00502 PCT/AU00/ PCT/AU00/00333PCT/AU01/00141 PCT/AU01/00139 00593 PCT/AU00/00753 PCT/AU01/01321PCT/AU01/01322 PCT/AU00/ PCT/AU00/00594 PCT/AU00/00595 PCT/AU00/0059600584 PCT/AU00/00598 PCT/AU00/00741 PCT/AU00/00742 PCT/AU00/ 00750PCT/AU01/ 01318 PCT/AU00/ 01516 PCT/AU02/ 01120 PCT/AU01/ 00140PCT/AU01/ 01323 PCT/AU00/ 00597

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided amobile telecommunications device comprising a casing, a display,circuitry for wireless telecommunications housed within the casing and aprinter housed within the casing, the printer comprising:

-   -   a printhead arrangement adapted to effect printing onto print        media as the printer is moved relative to the print media, the        printhead arrangement including a plurality of ink ejection        nozzles;    -   an ink supply adapted to store ink and to supply the ink to the        printhead arrangement;    -   a speed sensor adapted to measure the speed at which the        printhead arrangement is moved relative to the print media and        to generate speed data; and    -   a print controller adapted to:    -   (a) receive image data from an image source;    -   (b) convert the image data into a plurality of drop ejection        control signals;    -   (c) receive the speed data from the speed sensor, and    -   (d) operate the ink ejection nozzles in the printhead        arrangement in accordance with the drop ejection control signals        at a rate determined using the speed data, to thereby effect        printing of the image data onto the print media.

Preferably, the speed sensor comprises:

-   -   an optical encoder wheel adapted to be in contact with the print        media and to rotate as the device is moved relative to the print        media, the optical encoder wheel having a series of        circumferentially spaced markings thereon; and    -   an optical sensor adapted to:    -   (a) detect the markings as the markings pass the optical sensor        during rotation of the optical encoder wheel; and    -   (b) generate the speed data from the detected markings.

Preferably, the ink supply is removable from the printer.

Preferably, the device further comprises a capping arrangement moveablebetween a capped position in which the capping arrangement substantiallyobstructs the ejection of ink from the ink ejection nozzles and anun-capped position in which the capping arrangement does notsubstantially obstruct the ejection of ink from the ink ejectionnozzles.

Preferably, the device further comprises a capping actuator disposed onthe device so as to be operable by a user as the user moves theprinthead arrangement relative to the print media.

Preferably, the device further comprises a biasing member adapted tobias the capping arrangement towards the capped position.

Preferably, the print controller receives the image data from the imagesource via the circuitry for wireless telecommunications. Morepreferably, the image data is received at the circuitry for wirelesstelecommunications from a wireless telecommunications network.

Preferably, the device further comprises a memory adapted to store theimage data.

Preferably, the image to be printed is displayed on the device display.

Preferably, the printer further comprises a replaceable ink cartridge.

Preferably, the device further comprises one or more ink inlets throughwhich the ink supply may be replenished.

Preferably, the device further comprises a digital camera including alens and CCD array, and wherein image data captured by the CCD array isdisplayed on the display of the telecommunications device.

Preferably, the printer is adapted to print images captured by thedigital camera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only withreference to preferred embodiments and to the accompanying drawings inwhich:—

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a mobile telecommunications devicewith an in-built printer in use, printing an image onto a page of printmedia;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a printer used in the mobiletelecommunications device;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the printer;

FIG. 4 is an underside perspective of the printer;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a mobile telephone having aninternal printer;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective of the mobile telephone;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile telephone;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of a mobile telephone with an in-builtdigital camera;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the mobile telephone of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the mobile telephone of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the mobile telephone of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 12 is a transverse cross-section of the mobile telephone of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile telecommunications device according to thepresent invention is shown generally at 100. The telecommunicationsdevice 100 is a mobile telephone having an internal printer and isdepicted in FIG. 1 as moving, under the guidance of a user (not shown),across a page 20 of print media in the direction of the arrow 21 toprint an image 22 on the page 20.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the mobile telephone 100 includesstandard features such as a keypad 101, navigation keys 102, displayscreen 103, volume buttons 104, speaker 105 and microphone 106. Thetelephone also includes charging contacts 107, power socket 108 andhands free jack 109. A printer unit 10 is received through an opening inthe side of the telephone casing.

An exploded view of the telephone 100 is illustrated in FIG. 7.Assembled views are shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. With reference to thesefigures, the telephone includes an upper moulding 301, base moulding 302and cover moulding 303. The upper moulding 301 has a first series ofapertures 306 that receive keypad and navigation keys from anelastomeric keypad 308. A second aperture 309 receives a lens moulding310.

A rigid printed circuit board (PCB) 312 is held firmly between the uppermoulding 301 and base moulding 302. As is known, the PCB 312 containsthe majority of the telephone circuitry, in particular a speaker 313,colour LCD display 314 and an aerial 315. A SIM card 316 containing IDcodes and command circuitry as is known in the art is received in aninternal aperture 319 in the base moulding 302 and electricallycommunicates with the PCB 312 in a known manner.

The base moulding 302 has a recess 321 in its upper surface thatreceives the PCB 312 and aerial 315. A cut-away section is provided inthe lower portion of the base moulding 302 to receive a standard mobiletelephone battery 322 and the printer unit 10, further details of whichare described below.

The base moulding 302 further includes charging contact apertures 323,power socket aperture 324 and hands free jack aperture 325.

The cover moulding 303 removably fits with the base moulding 302 toprovide an access to the battery 322 and SIM card 316.

Details of the printer unit 10 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4. Although FIGS. 2 to 4 depict a stand-alone swipe printer,having a slightly different shape from the printer depicted in FIG. 7,those skilled in the art will appreciate that many of the features ofthe two printers are common and need not be described with specificreference to this mobile telecommunications device version of theprinter.

An exploded view of the printer 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The printer 10includes a lower moulding 11, upper moulding 12 and removable end cap 13each of which may be formed of any suitable plastics, metal or similarmaterial.

The upper and lower mouldings each include media slides 14 formed ateach end of the mouldings on the bottom surface thereof. The slides 14protrude from the bottom surface of the mouldings and serve to elevatethe printer as the printer traverses the print media resulting inminimal friction between the printhead and print media and preventingcontact between the printer and freshly printed ink which couldotherwise disturb the printed image.

When joined, the upper and lower mouldings reveal an ink ejection slotthrough which ink is ejected during printing. A capping device 50,preferably of metal is received in a recess 17 formed in the uppermoulding 12. The capping device 50, moves from a position in which acapping arm 52 of the capper 50 blocks the ink ejection slot 15 to aposition where ink ejection is unrestricted.

Internally, the printer 10 includes a printhead module 30 in which isdisposed a plurality of ink distribution channels leading to an array ofink ejection nozzles 31 aligned with the ink ejection slot 15 formedbetween the upper and lower mouldings 12, 11. An ink supply cartridge 32stores coloured inks, preferably in four colours namely cyan, magenta,yellow and black, to provide for full colour printing. Alternatively, orin addition, infra-red ink may be provided. The ink cartridge 32supplies ink to the ink distribution channels of the printhead module 30through an ink connector 33.

Any one of a number of known printhead modules and ink supply systemsmay be suitable for use with the present invention and thus furtherdescription of such features is omitted here. Details of printheadmodules and ink supply systems suitable for use with the invention canbe found in the above-mentioned co-pending applications of the presentapplicant.

A print controller 36 includes a microprocessor that converts image datastored in microprocessor memory into a sequence of electrical “dropejection” signals. The signals are communicated to the printhead module30 in a known manner during a print operation to cause selectiveejection of ink from the ink ejection nozzles 31.

The print control microprocessor 36 communicates with the circuitry ofthe PCB 312 to receive print instructions and digital image data.

When the printer unit 10 is properly engaged in the mobile telephone100, power contacts of the printer unit (not shown) connect with thepower supply circuits of the mobile telephone.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the end cap 13 is removable from the printer10 to reveal an aperture 47 through which the ink cartridge may bereplaced.

To perform printing, a user commands the printer using the navigationkeys 102 and actuates the capper 50, in a manner described below, toexpose the printhead chip 30 (FIG. 4) to the print media. The printmedia may be any suitable textile for receiving the type of ink storedin the printer and may include inter alia paper, cardboard, wood, fabricand plastics. The telephone 100 may include a control button depressedby the user to initiate printing (that is, to commence the ejection ofink from the printhead under the control of the print controlmicroprocessor.) Alternatively, actuation of the capper 16 may bedetected as a signal that the user is ready for the printing tocommence. The user then traverses the print media 20 with the telephone100 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

To control the printing rate, the printer 10 includes an optical encoderwheel 39 (FIG. 2) attached to the printhead module 30 at one endthereof. The optical encoder wheel 39 is received in slots 41 a, 41 bformed in the upper and lower mouldings respectively and extends fromthe mouldings to the point where the rim of the wheel 39 is level withthe media slides 14 (see FIG. 4). Circumferentially spaced markings onthe optical encoder wheel 39 are read by an optical sensor on themicroprocessor 36 as the wheel 39 rotates in contact with the printmedia.

The optical sensor includes a light source, such as an LED, and aphoto-detector that produces an electrical response dependent upon theamount of light incident upon the detector. The light reflectioncharacteristics of the encoder wheel 39 vary between the marked andun-marked areas and thus as the markings rotate past the detector, achange in the detector response occurs. The frequency at which thedetector response changes provides a measurement of the speed at whichthe encoder wheel is rotating and therefore the speed at which thetelephone is moving relative to the print media.

The detector response is communicated to the print controlmicroprocessor 36 which uses the signal to calculate the speed at whichthe printhead module is being moved across the print media. The printcontroller then synchronises the rate at which the drop ejection controlsignals are passed to the ink ejection nozzles with the measured speedof the printer. The printer 10 is therefore able to ensure appropriateprint dot spacing of successive lines of print and thus create afaithful reproduction of the printed image even though the printer doesnot control the speed at which the print media moves relative to theprinthead.

Furthermore, if the number of markings on the encoder wheel 39 is highenough, the microprocessor 36 is able to quickly adapt to the variationsin the speed at which a user may move the printer across the print mediathereby achieving a higher quality image.

An idler wheel 44 is attached to the opposite end of the printheadmodule 30 to allow stability and directional control of the printer. Ashaft may connect the idler wheel 44 with the encoder wheel 39 tosynchronise the rotation speeds of each wheel.

The optical encoder wheel 39 and/or idler wheel 44 may have a speedlimiter such as a friction clutch that prevents a user from moving theprinter along the print media at a rate faster than the maximum rate ofoperation of the printhead module 30. Furthermore, either or both wheelsmay have a system such as a ratchet for preventing the printer frombeing moved in a direction opposite to the direction of printing.

In the embodiment shown, digital image data may be provided to themicroprocessor 36 from an external image source via a wirelesstelecommunications network and received via the antenna 315 and PCB 312.

Alternatively, the digital image data may be received from an externaldevice such as a computer using an infra-red (IR) signal transmittedthrough an IR window formed in the casing of the mobile telephone. Insuch an embodiment an IR receiver electrically connected to themicroprocessor 36 receives the data which is then stored in theprocessor memory. In alternative embodiments (not shown), themicroprocessor may communicate through any other suitable connection forexample, hard wire connections to other electronic devices (such ascomputers, scanners, copiers, digital cameras), wirelesstelecommunications (such as WAP) or through a plug and socket connectionor data port. Other information, for example print control instructions,may also be provided to the printer from external devices using theabove systems. In a further embodiment, the microprocessor may have itsown graphics generating capabilities.

For example, as depicted in FIG. 8, the mobile telephone 100 may have anin-built camera module. In this embodiment, a lens 401 is formed in thebase moulding 302. Light passing through the lens 401 is incident on aCCD array. The CCD array communicates a digital image to the printcontrol microprocessor for printing. Camera operation keys areincorporated into the keypad 102 of the telephone.

In the embodiment described herein, the printer unit 10 includes areplaceable ink cartridge. As an alternative, the mobile telephone 100may be provided with an integral ink reservoir that is charged with inkfrom an ink charging stand using an ink charging system, further detailsof which are provided in the present applicant's co-pending applications(Attorney Docket numbers AP52 and AP53) cross-referenced above. An inkcharging system of the type referred to above utilses ink inlets 327 ofthe print unit 10 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7. By using an ink chargingsystem of the type referred to, the printer unit 10 need not be asreadily removable as would otherwise be necessary because removal of theprinter unit 10 will only be required for maintenance of the printhead.

FIG. 12 is a transverse cross section of the mobile telephone 100 ofFIG. 5. In this figure, there is shown a capping mechanism 50 of thetype described in the present applicant's co-pending application(Attorney Docket No AP44) cross-referenced above. The capping mechanismis mounted on the printer unit 10 in a manner that allows movement of acapping arm 52 from a position in which the capping arm 52 obstructs theejection of ink from the printhead chip 30 to a position as illustratedwhere ejection of ink from the printhead chip 30 is uninhibited.

Actuation of the capping mechanism 50 to its uncapped position can occurin any suitable manner, including but not limited to those examplesdescribed in the applicant's co-pending application (Attorney Docket NoAP44) cross-referenced above. For example, actuation of the capper mayoccur using a friction clutch operating in conjunction with the encoderwheel 39, a solenoid actuator, or a finger-operated actuator exposedthrough the casing of the mobile telephone 100.

The configuration of the printhead module and ink reservoir within thetelephone casing may be varied to suit the particular model and stylingof the telephone. The embodiments described previously utilise aside-edge printhead with an integral recharging ink reservoir.

Alternative embodiments include configurations where the printhead isexposed through a bottom or top edge of the telephone casing and haseither integral or replaceable ink cartridges as required.

While the invention has been described with particular reference tomobile telephones, it will be apparent to the person skilled in the artthat the invention is suitable for application in many other portableelectronic devices, including but not limited to, Wireless InternetAccess Devices (WIADs) in particular Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)terminals, pagers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and the like.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, itwill be evident to those skilled in the art that the present inventionmay be embodied in other specific forms without departing from theessential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examplesare therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are thereforeintended to be embraced therein.

1. A mobile telecommunications device comprising a casing, a display,circuitry for wireless telecommunications housed within the casing and aprinter housed within the casing, the printer comprising: a printheadarrangement adapted to effect printing onto print media as the printeris moved relative to the print media, the printhead arrangementincluding a plurality of ink ejection nozzles; an ink supply adapted tostore ink and to supply the ink to the printhead arrangement; a speedsensor adapted to measure the speed at which the printhead arrangementis moved relative to the print media and to generate speed data; and aprint controller adapted to: (a) receive image data from an imagesource; (b) convert the image data into a plurality of drop ejectioncontrol signals; (c) receive the speed data from the speed sensor, and(d) operate the ink ejection nozzles in the printhead arrangement inaccordance with the drop ejection control signals at a rate determinedusing the speed data, to thereby effect printing of the image data ontothe print media.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the speed sensorcomprises: an optical encoder wheel adapted to be in contact with theprint media and to rotate as the device is moved relative to the printmedia, the optical encoder wheel having a series of circumferentiallyspaced markings thereon; and an optical sensor adapted to: (a) detectthe markings as the markings pass the optical sensor during rotation ofthe optical encoder wheel; and (b) generate the speed data from thedetected markings.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the ink supply isremovable from the printer.
 4. The device of claim 1 further comprisinga capping arrangement moveable between a capped position in which thecapping arrangement substantially obstructs the ejection of ink from theink ejection nozzles and an un-capped position in which the cappingarrangement does not substantially obstruct the ejection of ink from theink ejection nozzles.
 5. The device of claim 4 further comprising acapping actuator disposed on the device so as to be operable by a useras the user moves the printhead arrangement relative to the print media.6. The device of claim 4 further comprising a biasing member adapted tobias the capping arrangement towards the capped position.
 7. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the print controller receives the image data from theimage source via the circuitry for wireless telecommunications.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7 wherein the image data is received at the circuitryfor wireless telecommunications from a wireless telecommunicationsnetwork.
 9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a memory adapted tostore the image data.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the image to beprinted is displayed on the device display.
 11. The device of claim 1wherein the printer further comprises a replaceable ink cartridge. 12.The device of claim 1 further comprising one or more ink inlets throughwhich the ink supply may be replenished.
 13. The device of claim 1further comprising a digital camera including a lens and CCD array, andwherein image data captured by the CCD array is displayed on the displayof the telecommunications device.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein theprinter is adapted to print images captured by the digital camera.